Vikki Vassar 

Vikki Vassar got her start at an arts-based high school but didn’t pursue a full-time career in art until the pandemic. Her work is fun and colorful and you’ll find a variety of items in her shop from prints and stickers to accessories and postcards. She also creates paintable putz—miniature landmarks in Winston-Salem you can paint yourself. When asked what she tries to convey with her art, Vassar said, “I don’t delve into the really heavy stuff with my art. I am more of a ‘Is there a joke here?’ or ‘Is there a happy memory here? And how can I dig that up for people?’” One thing she loves about being an artist in Winston-Salem is it’s “simultaneously one of the biggest cities I’ve lived in and one of the smallest,” referring to how tightly knit the art community is here. You can find Vassar’s work on her website and in person at Visual Index or Design Archives. 

Find her on Instagram: @thatblondegirlvikki 

Donnell (Dezo) Williams 

As a young artist, Donnell Williams decided to take his work more seriously after glimpsing at pieces in local galleries and being captivated by “the possibilities of art in a frame.” Today, you can find his paintings in multiple local galleries in downtown Winston-Salem. His career has spanned more than 20 years. He also has an upcoming show at the Art-O-Whirl in Minneapolis, Minnesota and had a show in New York where he exhibited his own work, as well as work from his mentors in Winston-Salem. When asked to describe what makes being an artist in Winston-Salem unique, Williams said, “what sets us apart is the different industries that originated in Winston-Salem, and how that coexists with the underbelly of the art scene.” Williams is currently a resident artist at Sixteen over Six Art Collective and a member of Delurk Gallery. 

Find him on Instagram: @artdezo 

Frank Campion 

Growing up in New York City, Frank Campion realized he wanted to be an artist at around ten years old when his mother brought him to the Museum of Modern Art. His early works were primarily landscapes, but now his acrylic paintings are much more abstract. When reminiscing about his career highlights, Campion said, “I was one of ten artists chosen for the Boston Now: Abstract Painting exhibition” through the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. He took a 30-year hiatus from the art world to pursue a career in advertising, which brought him to North Carolina. Now his art is for sale in multiple galleries throughout Winston-Salem. When discussing what he tries to convey with his art, he said, “Painting is at least 85 percent color and the emotions that color can evoke…It’s great to see how the work can mean so many different things to different people.” You can find Campion’s work in various galleries in Winston-Salem, at his upcoming show in High Point, or on his website. 

Find him on Instagram: @frankcampionart 

Les Caison III 

Les Caison III grew up in neighboring Greensboro and began exploring his creative side during grade school. When asked where he gets his inspiration, he responded, “Everyday people doing everyday things every day. The human experience. The grey areas of life. A challenge. Music that moves me. Miles on a bicycle under a cloud filled sky.” His primary medium is acrylic painting and illustration. He has contributed to over 150 exhibitions in Winston-Salem and beyond. One of his biggest accomplishments was being commissioned to create a life-size portrait in the Superior Court Room of the Randolph County Courthouse. You can currently find his work in Visual Index or one of his upcoming exhibitions. Visit his website for a full list of shows. 

Find him on Instagram: @LesThree 

Naila (Done by Naila) Venable 

Naila believes in the power of art and vulnerability. Her paintings embrace emotions—no matter how difficult those emotions are—and she exhibits her work in various showcases between the Triad which consists of Winston-Salem, High Point, and Greensboro, and Richmond, Virginia. When asked where she gets her inspiration, she shared that, “All of my work starts off with a form of journaling…I often record myself during this whole process of writing and thinking to get raw emotion.” The majority of her work is based on the footage she has captured during these journaling sessions. Learn more about Naila and her works on her website. 

Find her on Instagram: @naila_le 

Dane Walters 

Dane Walters is a talented painter who primarily uses acrylic and oils and got started drawing as a child based on scenes and beings from his imagination. Today, he pulls most of his inspiration from music and dreams. According to Walters, “I try to create a channel of communication with worlds and beings that exist in alternate realities and separate dimensions.” As an active member of the arts community who both lives and works there, he loves “the collective support the artists share for each other.” You can find his work at Delurk Gallery or Sixteen over Six. 

Find him on Instagram: @austindwalters 

This is the first article in a series highlighting artists of Winston-Salem. Get started planning your art-inspired trip and explor the works of these artists on our Arts in Winston-Salem page, learn more about exploring public art in downtown, then request or download a free Visitor Guide.